All About Women

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

There was this line in a movie (I can't quite recall which) that said "Fatless, salt-less, sugarless… and tasteless" or something to the same effect. This actually reflects a quite popular sentiment in this day and age of health consciousness. People who wish to be healthy or who want to lose a few pounds are of the belief that they have to sacrifice taste if they wish to achieve their desired weight or health goals. Naturally, tasteless yet healthy foods don't lend itself well as a substitute for tasty yet rich foods to which we have been accustomed. As a result, people who go on a low fat diet usually find themselves reverting to old habits sooner or later.

Nevertheless, while it is true that majority of health and low fat foods being sold in the market do tend to be bland, this is not applicable in all cases. If nothing else, there is such a thing as a yummy, low fat pizza. Yup, a delicious low fat pizza is definitely possible. In fact this article will instruct you on how to make one. All you need is a proper understanding of what constitutes healthy, low fat food and how to apply such principles into making your pizza.

The Principles of a Low Fat Diet

Understand one thing: low fat doesn't mean non-fat. These two are entirely different things. Low fat means you reduce the amount of fat in your diet. This means that less than thirty percent of your daily calorie intake should come from fat.

A low fat diet also means a reduction in the amount of unhealthy fats in your diet. By unhealthy fats, we are referring to saturated fats (which are unhealthy because they raise bad cholesterol levels) and polyunsaturated fats (which are unhealthy because they reduce the amount of ALL types of cholesterol and do not discriminate between good and bad cholesterol). Each of these two types of fat must consist less than ten percent of your daily calorie intake. Monounsaturated fats, on the other hand, are the "healthy fats" because they promote good cholesterol levels and reduce bad cholesterol levels. Such healthy fats, however, should still only comprise less than fifteen percent of your daily calorie intake.

Reduction in the amount of fat and reduction in the amount of unhealthy fats are the basic principles of a healthy, low fat diet. If you reduce the amount of fat intake but consumes only or mostly unhealthy fats, then you are, technically, on a low fat yet generally unhealthy diet.

A low carb diet is not the same as a low fat diet. A low fat diet can be one that has high carbohydrate content whereas a low carb diet can have a high fat content. With careful planning, however, it is possible to combine a low fat diet with a low carb diet.

There are debates as to which of these two types of diet is healthier. Definitely, a low fat diet that reduces the intake of unhealthy fats is healthy. However, if your goal is to reduce weight, a low carb diet is more effective in the short run. Nevertheless, a low carb diet can lead to more side effects and can be unhealthy in the long run whereas the low fat diet, although apparently not as effective as a weight reduction measure in the short term, is more effective as a weight maintenance measure in the long run.

Now that the definition of a low fat diet has been discussed, and the low carb and low fat diet have been sufficiently differentiated, it is time to apply such tenets. Get your pizza pan and wooden spoon ready. It's time to make our yummy, low fat pizza. Take note that we are going to make real, homemade pizza - not something that simply looks and tastes like pizza.

How to Make a Yummy Low Fat Pizza

The secret to making a low fat pizza is finding out the fat content of your usual pizza ingredients, finding a low fat substitute, reducing overall fat content, and adjusting the other ingredients and the cooking procedures to reflect the changes. You need not compute the calories in pizza to make a low fat pizza.

Low fat pizza dough

The change should start with the pizza crust. Whether you are making a thin crust or a thick crust, you should always focus on how much fat content your pizza crust recipe has. For instance, the basic pizza dough recipe has the following ingredients: flour, yeast, water, oil/shortening, milk, salt, and sugar. To make pizza crust relatively low in fat content, therefore, you must check each of the ingredients and find substitutes when applicable.

In the easy pizza crust recipe indicated above, it is easy enough to find low fat substitutes. First, you should use vegetable oil instead of animal fat or butter as your shortening in your pizza recipe. Of all vegetable oils, however, it is best to use olive oil which has the highest amount of monounsaturated fat content. Avoid palm and coconut oil as these have higher saturated fat content. Next, you should use dry, non-fat milk solids to replace regular milk.

Aside from replacing the ingredients that you can with their low or non-fat substitutes, you should also reduce the total amount of fat in your pizza dough recipes. Use as little oil as possible in your pizza dough. Moreover, do not use egg yolks even if your traditional homemade pizza recipe calls for it.

Substituting olive oil for butter or shortening should not result in any drastic changes. In fact, you can use extra virgin olive oil for a stronger olive flavor. If you prefer your crust to be creamy, you shouldn't worry since you are using milk on your dough anyway. The above ingredients should therefore give you great-tasting, low fat pizza.

Now, if you want to make an even healthier pizza dough, increase fiber content by using whole wheat flour instead of the usual white flour; reduce the amount of salt and sugar, too. Then, you can decrease carbohydrate content by opting for a thin crust pizza (less carb per slice) or reducing the amount of flour. To compensate for the less flour, you can use egg whites as binder (of course, amount of water must be reduced in proportion to the amount of egg white used).

Pizza Toppings and Pizza Sauce Low Fat Pizza

It is much easier to choose pizza toppings for a low fat pizza recipe. You should primarily choose vegetable toppings. Thus, a vegetable pizza is preferable. For variety, you can add fruit and make it a vegetable-and-fruit pizza. You can find a vegetable pizza recipe or a fruit vegetable recipe online; you can also create your own.

No-cheese pizza is best, but if you really must have cheese, then find low fat cheese or find a low fat cheese blend that you can live with. Moreover, less cheese is best. Use just enough cheese to give your pizza flavor; I'm afraid that cheese pizza is generally out then.

Tomato sauce is healthy, but you should choose one with a lower salt and sugar content. If you want, you can make your own. You can even dice up your own tomatoes and use them as toppings. Finally, substitute lean meat to your fat-laden sausages; use white meat (without the fat portions) instead of red meat. Add herbs and herbal pizza spices to add flavor and taste to your low fat pizza.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

"Thigh high boots" are one of the sexiest boots in women's wardrobe. These boots extend over the knee making the women appear sexy and flattering. Over-the-knee boots are one of the all time favorite fashion accessory of girls and women. Are you too in love with these fetish thigh high boots?

Thigh high boots are called by many names like thigh boots, thigh length boots, over-the-knee boots, kinky boots and crotch boots according to the convenience. It is said that these boots are mostly related with prostitutes. So many women hesitate to wear thigh length boots. Go ahead and stir up the style diva in you with a pair of leather thigh high boots to show off your elegance in the crowd.

One can find a huge variety of these boots ranging from platform to stiletto, lace up to zipper and latex to suede thigh high boots in different hues. The most high-flying and fetish colors prefered by many women to appear sexy are red, pink, white, and black thigh high boots. These crotch boots are even available with different perforations to serve the fashion needs of the style conscious women.

Over-the-knee boots are now available in huge varieties ranging from lace-up to zipper in different heel heights from stiletto to platform catered to the needs of the style conscious women. These boots even come in variety of colors and hues like red, black, pink etc that allures the appearance of the women. Above all designer thigh high boots are in a good rage now fascinating many women with its sexy and flirtatious looks. Designer like Stuart Weitzman, Donald J Pliner, Michael Kors etc are rocking the haute couture with the trendy and fabulous thigh boots. These boots will give you a damn wild and seductive appearance to tantalize your beloved.

A pair of spit-shine thigh boots paired with leather micro minis will give you a heck lot of sexier appearance to seduce the men you desire. These boots will show off your fulgent gams lanky and will give you a seductive feminine look. Girls even adore wearing thigh length zipper boots as they are perfect for easy on and off. Some boots even come with buckled straps over the ankle and calf giving you entirely matchless and erotic appeal.

Even color of over-the-knee boots plays a lead role to gain a great appearance. As red stands for sex appeal, red leather thigh high boots will give you an extremely sizzling and sumptuous look. A pair of black thigh high boots is a fine bet for you to wear for bars and discotheques to make some heads turn. Slide your gleaming feet into pair of a flirtatious thigh boots and allure men with your sensuous appearance.

A strapless bustier is one of the most versatile pieces of sexy lingerie that a woman can own. A well-designed bustier can provide many of the figure shaping benefits of a corset, without the accompanying discomfort. A bustier can be used to provide definition underneath other clothes, or worn instead of a shirt, perhaps paired with a beautiful jacket. Although bustiers and the related basque come in many styles, a strapless bustier provides maximum options. Read on for some important information about this amazing garment.

Basque, Bustier or Corset?

All three terms are often used interchangeably, so it is important to examine a garment to determine if it is what you want, regardless of the label. Strictly speaking, however, there are some design differences. A corset has traditionally been used for figure definition and even waist training, although modern styles are much less restrictive. Nonetheless, a corset laces up, contains boning, and takes inches off the waist. A bustier generally has light boning or a control panel, and is designed to gently sculpt the body rather than confine it. A basque is similar to a bustier, but may not contain control panels or boning, and often has straps or even small cap sleeves. In general, a corset does not feature built-in cups, while the bustier and the basque both do. However, this is not always the case.

Sizing a Strapless Bustier

A bustier is sized according to the chest measurement of the bra size. This can make it difficult to find the perfect fit. Larger busted women may need to go up a size, while those with small busts may prefer to go down a size. If ordering online, be sure to read the size chart and ordering information closely. Also consider trying on a few bustiers in person to decide your exact size.

Strapless Bustier Styles

You can find strapless bustiers in a wide range of styles, from relatively demure to blatantly sexy. The style you select will depend on the ways in which you plan to wear the bustier. If it will be used for body shaping beneath outerwear, select a relatively plain style without a lot of details that may show through your outer garment. However, if you plan to substitute the bustier for a shirt, then the sky is truly the limit. Look for styles with a lot of detailing that add a dressy, glamorous touch.

The Bottom Line

The strapless bustier is an excellent addition to a collection of sexy lingerie. Both practical and functional, the bustier can be worn in a bold and sexy style for the bedroom, a gently body sculpting version underneath any outfit, or even in a dressy and dramatic style in lieu of a shirt. Make sure that you understand how the bustier is sized and follow all ordering instruction carefully. Try on several styles before you buy, and you may even end up making several purchases.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Clothes shopping can be a chore, and even more so if you're a plus sized woman. No matter what size you are, developing a shopping strategy before you hit the mall is a good idea. If you are looking for clothes that fit well and you're a plus size, this goes double for you! So take a look at the few tips below and make sure that you're a best dressed gal this winter.

First, there's a good chance that you've been told to stick to dark colors like black, gray and maroon, but this is not really the case. Cut will always beat color in terms of importance when it comes to looking good, so when it boils down to it, a well-cut outfit in tangerine orange will look just as good as one in charcoal gray. Make sure that the outfits you are wearing aren't just composed of tubes; look for a taper around the waist and hips, depending on your build and make sure that above all, you clothing is comfortable. Similarly, make sure that no matter what you wear, you feel good in it.

Not all body types look good in the same style of clothes. Oftentimes, "plus-sized" lines of apparel are only oversized versions of their garments for smaller women. The sad reality is that these clothes were designed with the smaller woman in mind, and frequently do not have the same flattering effect on the plus size girl. Stand in front of your mirror and decide what features you'd like to accentuate, rather than what you'd like to disguise. If you have voluptuous curves, pick styles of clothing that enhance them. Wide-hipped women should opt for curvy A-line skirts rather than broomstick skirts. When shopping for skirts, be conscious of hem length. Skirts that fall at your calf will shorten the appearance of your legs, but floor- or knee-length skirts will flatter.

When going out in the winter, remember that layering is your friend. One way to stay warm and look great is to layer several thinner tops on top of one another. Avoid the bulky sweater or pull over and instead layer a long sleeved stretch top under a snappy short sleeved shirt for casual wear. The thinner layers will cling to you to provide better warmth while maintaining an attractive silhouette. Look for clothes that mix and match well, and you'll have plenty of options all winter.

Remember that shopping for plus sized clothing doesn't mean that you have to be stuck wearing something that fits you poorly or is unattractive on you.

You know the look – and it is coming straight for you. Someone is going to ask you to do something. Before this person can even get their request out, your mind is racing for a plausible excuse, never pausing to actually consider the truth. It could be as simple as purchasing a gift or as complex as coordinating the holiday program but you just can’t take on one more task. And for some reason, that doesn’t seem to be a good enough reason to say no.

As if you don’t have enough on your to-do list, throw in the holidays and you can quickly become inundated. With shopping, decorating, parties and family get-togethers, how can you possibly complete everything on your to-do list while retaining your sanity?

I have found over the years that the biggest cause of being overscheduled is our inability to say no. Whether it is out of guilt, a sense of obligation, or the desire to avoid hurt feelings, we say yes when we really shouldn’t. Are you a “yes” person? If you are you overwhelmed, overscheduled and frustrated, you probably are. If so, don’t feel bad – you’re in good company - few of us have mastered this ability. But it’s time to start because no one benefits when you take on more than you can handle – especially you.

What are your limits? How much more can you handle over and above what is already on your plate? What can be put on hold to make time for your immediate priorities? Review your calendar for the month and make a note of any down time you have. If you are willing and able to fill it, schedule the most important activities that you can’t or don’t want to miss. Just make sure you don’t become the dumping ground for someone else’s unnecessary, undesirable responsibilities. It’s better to do two or three things really well than ten things second-rate.

Before you say yes to anything new ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this something I really want to do?• Will this benefit me or my family?• Is this the best use of my time?• Will my career, my family or I be negatively affected if I say no? (Don’t say yes just to make someone else happy)• Is it the right thing to do?

You don’t have to feel guilty about saying no. It’s not your responsibility to take up the slack for those around you. Say yes to what’s important and let the rest go. And remember, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – January is right around the corner.

Your Assignment:

Stop being a YES person! Before taking on another responsibility or attending another party, ask yourself if it is truly something you want to do; will it benefit you or your family; is it the best use of your time; will it help advance your career; will you, your career, or your family be negatively affected if you say no; or is it the right thing to do? If the answer is yes, go ahead. If not, politely decline and move on.

If you are looking for nursing clothes that are easy to wear, stylish and do not look like maternity clothes or nursing clothes, then Majamas is a great brand to try. Majamas was one of the premier nursing brands with their Original Softest Top for nursing which is still a bestseller today. They now have many variations on this great original nursing top and many other styles as well for all seasons.

Nixilu is new line Majamas recently introduced exclusively for maternity. Nixilu products include maternity tops, dresses, skirts and pants. Nixilu is designed with Majamas signature fun patterns and vibrant colors and styles. All Nixilu products are made with plenty of stretch to take you through all 9 months of your pregnancy in style.

Majamas has also expanded their nursing line to include many styles of nursing dresses, tops, skirts and pants. Many of their nursing items, including their pajamas and nightgowns can all be worn during maternity, particularly during your first 2 trimesters, due to their stretchy material. Their Sleepy Dress, for nursing and early maternity, can be worn inside or outside the bedroom due to the thicker durable material and marvelous style.

Loungewear is a favorite for both expecting moms and new moms who need something comfortable to wear around the house. Majamas Softest Yoga Pant is very popular casual maternity pant that also makes for a great transition wear pant after the baby. This pant comes in black and charcoal colors and can be worn casually with just about anything. The material is so soft and comfortable that many women also wear this pant as a pajamas pant as well!

If you want a slim pant to wear under a tunic but you don’t want to wear maternity leggings, Majamas Super Soft Slim Pant in Black or Brown is a great alternative. This is a straight fitting pant that fits like a dance pant but does not taper at the ankle like a legging. This pant also makes for a great transition wear pant and loungewear pant for after the baby and goes with just about anything.

If you need a fitted layering nursing wear piece for colder weather to wear under a regular top or sweater, the Majamas Cozier Cami is a good choice. This cami can be worn year round, and long after you baby is weaned! The nursing access is very discreet and most importantly your belly stays covered when nursing. This top has been such a hit for Majamas that they also designed the Reverse Cami with a cross-over style in front as well as the Cozier Nursing Dress which can also be worn during and after you have your baby.

Majamas is known for their great moisture wicking and quick drying material in their nursing tops. They have expanded this idea to include a new nursing product, the Easy Bra which serves as a great sleepwear or loungewear nursing bra due to its comfort and ease of use. This bra is light, stretchy and comfortable without any hooks, clips or underwires. You simply pull it over your head to wear. Many women wear this bra as a sleep nursing bra.

Finally if you are looking for a great pair of nursing pajamas, you can’t go wrong with the MJ and the Pajannaman. These pajamas can also be worn in early pregnancy and for nursing. Both of these styles of Pajamas have a cross over pull down nursing access. The MJ has an under the belly ankle length pant and the Pajannaman is an under the belly cropped pant. Both styles come in a variety of colors including black, pewter and a pretty new raspberry color as well as patterns.

So whether you are looking for a sexy nursing dress or a comfortable pair of pajamas, Majamas has many styles to choose from that will fit you with comfort and ease.

At first glance all teddies and bodysuits might look alike, but there are some differences between the two pieces of lingerie. A teddy usually a one-piece garment that resembles the combination of a camisole and panties. While teddies are now considered sexy lingerie, like all lingerie they started out with a specific function. Teddies were used for full coverage underneath clothing. A fit that was once loose, became more form fitting over time, eventually evolving into the skin tight lingerie we have today.

A bodysuit is also a single piece made of a stretchy material and designed to cling to the body. Bodysuits have short sleeves, long sleeves, no sleeves, and leggings. Teddies are primarily thought of as sexy lingerie and are never worn as an outer garment. Sexy bodysuits, on the other hand, are often worn for fun in the bedroom or for making a splash out in public. Bodysuits gained popularity in the 1980s, frequently worn as outerwear. A sexy bodysuit was and still is a perfect match for everything from skirts to jeans. On a more functional level, bodysuits are a favorite choice for athletes like gymnasts, runners, cyclists and have been a standard garment for dancers for years.

Bodysuits are enjoying a comeback from the days when big hair and leg warmers ruled the world. As the saying goes, if you hang on to something long enough, it eventually comes back into style. Bodysuits come in a wide variety of colors, textures, and styles to match anyone's tastes

What most women like about the bodysuits is the appearance of having a tucked in shirt or blouse without all the excess fabric around the waist. Bodysuits also work well underneath a jacket for smooth lines without the added bulk.

Bodysuits and teddies are made from sheer or semi-sheer stretch fabrics such as Lycra or Spandex. Both cling tightly to the curves of the body, but unlike a corset or girdle, a sexy bodysuit won't be tight enough to change your shape. Bodysuits and teddies lack boning for any kind of support, although there are a few on the market with control panels or built in bras.

To keep it real, wear a teddy or bodysuit under your clothes during the day. Whether grocery shopping or sitting in on a boring board meeting, you can keep it sexy and cool by wearing relaxing lingerie under your clothes. Nobody will have to know and you'll be able to remain comfortable and collected in the most chaotic of circumstances.

Whether you choose a teddy or sexy bodysuit for fun or practical reasons, this sexy lingerie is an indispensable addition to any wardrobe. Both go from public to private in the blink of an eye. Have a hot date right after work? No problem. Your sexy bodysuit will transition nicely from the boardroom to the club. Be as revealing or as secretive as you like with your sexy lingerie, no one will ever know - that is, of course unless you want them to.